it that they are in the most profound--What's that?"

My uncle uttered an ejaculation at the same moment, for as I spoke,
rapid as the dart of a serpent, a dark shadowy arm was passed under the
blind close to the little table where we sat, and on looking there were
but fifteen of the little ingots left.

"Stop here! I'll go," I exclaimed.

In an instant I had torn aside the blind, pushed open the jalousie, and
leaped out into the outer sunshine, to stand in the glare, looking this
way and that way, but in vain: there were flowers, and trees, and the
bright glare, but not a soul in sight.

I stood for an instant to think; and then, feeling for my pistol to see
if it was there if wanted, I dashed across the plantation towards the
forest, peering in every direction, but without avail; and at last, more
troubled than I cared to own, I returned, dripping with perspiration, to
the hacienda, to meet Tom.

"Say, Mas'r Harry, what's the good o' running yourself all away, like so
much butter? 'Tain't good for the constitution."

"Have you seen any Indians lurking about to-day, Tom, anywhere near the
place?"

"Not half a one, Mas'r Harry, because why? I've been fast asleep ever
since I saw the Don off the premises."

"Keep a good look-out, Tom," I cried.

Then I hurried in to my uncle, who looked troubled.

"I don't like that, Harry," he said. "There were eavesdroppers close at
hand. I thought I would go too, but I saw nothing. Not a man had been
out of the yard. But there, take the gold up to your room and lock it
in the big chest; the key is in it. I put it here for safety till you
got back, and--confound!"

We gazed in blank astonishment, for as my uncle opened his secretary and
laid bare my leather case, which he had locked and strapped up, there it
was with the straps cut through, the lock cut out, and the fifteen
ingots gone!

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.

BARS WITHOUT BOLTS.

As soon as my uncle had recovered from his astonishment he took out and
loaded a couple of brace of pistols, laying one pair ready to hand and
placing the others in his pockets.

"Harry, my lad," he then said seriously, "we have entered upon something
that will take all our wits to compass. We have cunning people to deal
with; but Englishmen have brains of their own, and perhaps we can
circumvent those who are against us. I wonder whether Garcia will get
safe home with his share."

I was too much put out to think or care mu